editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Jeff Brady is a National Desk Correspondent based in Philadelphia, where he covers the mid-Atlantic region and energy issues. Brady helped establish NPR's environment and energy collaborative which brings together NPR and Member station reporters from across the country to cover the big stories involving the natural world. Brady approaches energy stories from the consumer side of the light switch and the gas pump in an effort to demystify an industry that can seem complicated and opaque. Frequently traveling throughout the country for NPR, Brady has visited a solar power plant in the Nevada desert that lights casinos after the sun goes down. In 2017 his reporting showed a history of racism and sexism that have made it difficult for the oil business to diversify its workforce. In 2011 Brady led NPR's coverage of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State—from the night legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired to the trial where Sandusky was found guilty . In 2005,NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Jeff BradyMon, 14 May 2018 07:23:41 +0000Jeff Bradyhttp://ketr.org
Jeff BradyPresident Trump's goal of achieving "energy dominance" for the United States includes producing more oil and gas on federal land, but new government statistics show a mixed record on this front during his first year in office. Trump has cast himself as an ally of fossil fuel industries. At a 2017 event he told energy industry leaders, "You've gone through eight years of hell," referring to the time former President Obama was in office. But by two measures there was more oil industry activity on federal lands during the Obama years than Trump's first year. In 2017 the number of oil and gas leases fell to a 10-year low of 38,556. The number of acres leased also declined to a decade-low of 25,742,991. Some of the tables do show more activity. The number of leases issued in 2017 increased by about 42 percent and the number of wells that started drilling increased about 40 percent. These statistics come from the Bureau of Land Management's annual report on the agency's website . The numbersTrump's 'Energy Dominance' Gets Slow Start On Federal Landhttp://ketr.org/post/trumps-energy-dominance-gets-slow-start-federal-land
111506 as http://ketr.orgSun, 13 May 2018 12:07:00 +0000Trump's 'Energy Dominance' Gets Slow Start On Federal LandJeff BradyPresident Trump's announcement that he will withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal sent crude oil prices up slightly. U.S. drivers who have noticed higher prices at the pump may be tempted to blame Trump's Iran decision, but it's only one factor at play right now. Even before Trump's announcement gasoline prices were nearly 50 cents a gallon higher than a year ago. Trump's decision could eventually mean less oil on the world market from Iran because now the U.S. will reimpose economic sanctions on Iran that were lifted as part of the 2015 deal. "We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanctions," Trump said. Other nations that do business with Iran also could face U.S. sanctions. The Treasury Department issued guidance on how the sanctions will be reimposed. For oil and other petroleum products there will be a 180-day period in which people doing business with Iran will be able to wind down those operations before facing penalties. In the meantime, Tom KlozaOil Prices Rise After Trump's Iran Speech, But Supply And Demand Also Fuel Increasehttp://ketr.org/post/oil-prices-rise-after-trumps-iran-speech-supply-and-demand-also-fueling-increase
111340 as http://ketr.orgWed, 09 May 2018 09:00:00 +0000Oil Prices Rise After Trump's Iran Speech, But Supply And Demand Also Fuel IncreaseJeff Bradyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkGOnpvlL8A The United States oil business is booming and the country could soon be the largest crude oil producer in the world. Despite this record-breaking production, climate change activists campaigning to move away from fossil fuels say they are making progress. Here's the idea underpinning the "keep it in the ground" movement: To address climate change, activists say known reserves of fossil fuels will have to be left untouched instead of burned. In the meantime, they want countries to transition to renewable forms of energy such as solar and wind. For oil, activists figure that if they can stop pipelines and other infrastructure from being built, it's more likely crude will be left in the ground, because there won't be a way to transport it to where it can be sold. One tactic used to block pipeline construction is protests like those against the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in Louisiana. Last month organizer Cherri Foytlin led cheers of "L'eau est la vie'Keep It In The Ground' Activists Optimistic Despite Oil Boomhttp://ketr.org/post/keep-it-ground-activists-optimistic-despite-oil-boom
108913 as http://ketr.orgFri, 16 Mar 2018 09:00:00 +0000'Keep It In The Ground' Activists Optimistic Despite Oil BoomJeff BradyCopyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit KELLY MCEVERS, HOST: The FBI got a tip last month that the man accused of killing 17 people in a high school shooting on Wednesday might be planning an attack, and they never followed up. The FBI says someone left a message on the agency's tip line, but nobody forwarded the call to the local field office. On top of that, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says his office received 20 calls about the alleged shooter over the last two years. He says his office will now scrutinize each call. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) SCOTT ISRAEL: If we find out, like in any investigation, that one of our deputies or call takers could have done something better or was remiss, I'll handle it accordingly. MCEVERS: Also today, families held the first two funerals for victims. NPR's Jeff Brady reports from Parkland, Fla. JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: At the Parkland amphitheater, there's a shrine to the 17 people who were killed. News of the FBI announcement brought swiftFlorida Community Mourns And Remembers 17 Killed In School Shootinghttp://ketr.org/post/florida-community-mourns-and-remembers-17-killed-school-shooting
107768 as http://ketr.orgFri, 16 Feb 2018 21:21:00 +0000Florida Community Mourns And Remembers 17 Killed In School ShootingJeff BradyCopyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: It's been a little more than 24 hours since a 19-year-old man opened fire on his former classmates at a Florida high school, and an all-too-familiar cycle has begun. There are news conferences about the shooter, interviews with survivors and vigils like this one in Coral Springs, Fla., today. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Lord, give them peace as they come to grips with this new reality, as they process the loss of so many of their precious kids and even their colleagues, as they have their own overwhelming moments of grief and anxiety and fear and sadness. KELLY: In a moment, we'll hear how the weapon the killer used was the gun of choice in many recent mass shootings. First, though, to new court documents that show the accused shooter, Nikolas Cruz, has confessed to the shooting. He faces 17 counts of premeditated murder. His first court appearance was today in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. NPR's Jeff BradyGunman In Florida High School Shooting Ordered Held Without Bondhttp://ketr.org/post/gunman-florida-high-school-shooting-ordered-held-without-bond
107717 as http://ketr.orgThu, 15 Feb 2018 22:14:00 +0000Gunman In Florida High School Shooting Ordered Held Without BondJeff BradyCopyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Federal government is in partial shutdown after Congress failed to reach an agreement to pass a spending bill. Members of the military and law enforcement will continue to work without pay, but Americans may not notice the effects of the shutdown until Monday, when most federal workers would be back at work. One exception is at national parks. NPR's Jeff Brady is in downtown Philadelphia at Independence National Historical Park. They were supposed to be open this morning. Right, Jeff? JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Yes, it was supposed to be open. I'm outside the building that houses the Liberty Bell, and the doors are locked. There's some gates up outside, and there's a guard out front. On the door, there's a little sign. You can just barely read it. But it says that the building is going to be closed today because of the partial government shutdown. And all morning, there have been a lot of disappointed tourists sort of milling around,The Shutdown And National Parkshttp://ketr.org/post/shutdown-and-national-parks
106571 as http://ketr.orgSat, 20 Jan 2018 12:58:00 +0000The Shutdown And National ParksJeff BradyCopyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: Meteorologists are calling it a bomb cyclone - a powerful winter storm that dumped as much as a foot and a half of snow along parts of the East Coast. The winds created blizzard-like conditions. Schools and government offices closed. Airlines canceled thousands of flights. NPR's Jeff Brady is in Philadelphia. And Jeff, this does not sound like just your average winter storm. What does it look like there? JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: No, it is not. It snowed steady all day long here in Philadelphia. We got about 4 to 6 inches of snow kind of depending on where in the city you are. Other places, though, got a lot more. New Jersey on the shore - the New Jersey Shore - got up to 18 inches of snow in some places. Governor Chris Christie declared a state of emergency in three counties there. In New England - also hit very hard by this storm. Eastern Massachusetts in the Boston area - there were reports of snow falling at 3 inches per hour. AndWinter Storm Stresses Energy Infrastructures Along The East Coasthttp://ketr.org/post/winter-storm-stresses-energy-infrastructures-along-east-coast
105968 as http://ketr.orgThu, 04 Jan 2018 21:32:00 +0000Winter Storm Stresses Energy Infrastructures Along The East CoastJeff BradyUpdated at 7:43 p.m. ET Part of the Republican tax overhaul that President Trump signed into law last week has homeowners around the country doing something unusual: rushing to pay their 2018 property taxes well before the due date. That's because the new law includes a $10,000 cap on the amount of state and local taxes people can deduct on their federal returns. Before, if someone paid $24,000 in property taxes — as some people in higher tax states like New York and California do — and then paid $20,000 in state and local income taxes they were allowed to deduct $44,000 on their federal tax return. Now that number is capped at $10,000. The change could cost some people thousands of dollars. In response to questions from taxpayers and preparers, the Internal Revenue Service issued new guidance Wednesday. The IRS says taxes can be prepaid and deducted from federal returns if local authorities levy the taxes in 2017 and they are paid by Dec. 31. "I'm sending my checks in today," saidScrambling To Prepay 2018 Property Taxes? Maybe You Shouldn'thttp://ketr.org/post/why-homeowners-are-scrambling-prepay-their-2018-property-taxes
105640 as http://ketr.orgTue, 26 Dec 2017 21:36:00 +0000Scrambling To Prepay 2018 Property Taxes? Maybe You Shouldn'tJeff BradyCopyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: A Pennsylvania grand jury has issued a scathing report on the state of fraternity life at Penn State University. It says school officials were remarkably undisturbed by complaints about excessive and dangerous alcohol abuse. It says the school was more interested in marketing itself as a fun place to be. A 19-year-old sophomore died back in February during an alcohol-fueled hazing ritual at one fraternity. NPR's Jeff Brady joins us now from State College Pennsylvania. And, Jeff, that's the top line of the report. What else did it say? JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Well, it said a lot. It said - the report is 144 pages long. And members of the grand jury, they lay out that case that suggests Penn State knew it had a problem with excessive drinking and hazing but failed to address it. And there's a lot of focus on one program where monitors and checkers go around to frat parties looking for violations of laws or university rules. But thatPennsylvania Grand Jury Hopes Investigation Will Change Fraternity Culture Across The U.S.http://ketr.org/post/pennsylvania-grand-jury-hopes-investigation-will-change-fraternity-culture-across-us
105274 as http://ketr.orgFri, 15 Dec 2017 21:23:00 +0000Pennsylvania Grand Jury Hopes Investigation Will Change Fraternity Culture Across The U.S.Jeff Bradyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbAtZyy4zRI Think "renewable energy" and the wind and sun come to mind, but someday it may be possible to add ocean energy to that list. The fledgling wave energy industry is getting a boost from the federal government. The Department of Energy is spending up to $40 million to build a wave energy test facility off the Oregon coast. Wave energy has a long way to go before it's ready to power the lights in your house. At this point, engineers aren't even quite sure how best to capture the power of the water. "We don't know what the right kind of wave energy converter is," says Belinda Batten, executive associate dean of the College of Engineering at Oregon State University. Batten says part of the challenge is that the ocean moves in different directions depending on the location. "It goes up and down when you're out in the water," she says. "As you're getting close to the coast, it's going back and forth in surge. Within the ocean, the particles go aroundOceans May Host Next Wave Of Renewable Energyhttp://ketr.org/post/oceans-may-host-next-wave-renewable-energy
104058 as http://ketr.orgWed, 15 Nov 2017 11:04:00 +0000Oceans May Host Next Wave Of Renewable EnergyJeff BradyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit DAVID GREENE, HOST: American oil companies are trying to recruit a younger, more diverse workforce. But a history of racism and sexism in that industry is making this difficult. Here's NPR's Jeff Brady. JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: Commercials for big oil companies these days show what the industry wants to become. (SOUNDBITE OF AD, "AMERICA'S ENERGY") BRADY: This ExxonMobil ad shows a string of mostly women and minority workers wearing hard hats and holding signs that tout the benefits of the industry. But across oil companies, government statistics show women and minorities are severely underrepresented compared to the U.S. workforce as a whole. The industry is trying to change that, says Rhonda Morris, vice president of Human Resources at Chevron. RHONDA MORRIS: Staffing our workforce for the future is a priority. And we actually start focusing on our talent pipeline with kids as young as 5 years old. BRADY: Chevron and other companies spend millionsOil Companies Dig Deep To Attract And Retain Minority Workershttp://ketr.org/post/oil-companies-dig-deep-attract-and-retain-minority-workers
103886 as http://ketr.orgFri, 10 Nov 2017 11:19:00 +0000Oil Companies Dig Deep To Attract And Retain Minority WorkersJeff Bradyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRnVJ7Mgt0I The U.S. oil industry is trying to find a new generation of workers in a country that is becoming more diverse. But a history of sexism and racism is making that difficult. The oil industry has struggled to solve its diversity problem despite having some big advantages. It's a wealthy industry accustomed to taking on complicated challenges (think deep-water offshore drilling and fracking). And oil and gas companies already have decades of experience operating all over the world in various environments. Still, the diversity problem persists. "The racism in this job, it's unreal" In the mid-1980s the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission tried to address one large case of racism and sexism involving a union — Pipeliners Local 798 based in Tulsa, Okla. The union is a big player in the pipeline construction business. It dispatches welders and their helpers to large projects across much of the U.S. Attorney Bob Harwin, who argued theBig Oil Has A Diversity Problemhttp://ketr.org/post/big-oil-has-diversity-problem
103680 as http://ketr.orgSun, 05 Nov 2017 10:00:00 +0000Big Oil Has A Diversity ProblemJeff BradyThe chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota has been voted out of office, just about one year after the Dakota Access Pipeline protests . Unofficial results show Dave Archambault received about 37 percent of the 1,710 votes cast. His challenger, current tribal councilman Mike Faith, received 63 percent. Archambault conceded defeat in a statement on Facebook: Under Archambault's leadership the tribe opposed the 1,000-mile, $3.8 billion pipeline. It transports up to 520,000 barrels of crude a day from North Dakota to Illinois. A section of the pipeline is located just north of the tribe's reservation, and opponents argued construction would compromise sacred lands. They also worried that part of the pipeline under the Missouri River could leak and pollute local drinking water. The tribe's opposition inspired protest camps that attracted demonstrators from around the world. There were clashes with police and hundreds of people were arrested. While the pipeline protestsStanding Rock Sioux Chairman Voted Out Of Officehttp://ketr.org/post/standing-rock-sioux-chairman-voted-out-office
102271 as http://ketr.orgThu, 28 Sep 2017 23:02:00 +0000Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Voted Out Of OfficeJeff BradyThe Trump administration announced Thursday that it has temporarily waived a U.S. shipping restriction for Puerto Rico known as the Jones Act. Under the law, only U.S.-flagged ships are allowed to move goods between any U.S. ports. Now foreign-flagged vessels also will be able to move shipments from the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rico and between ports there. The move is intended to boost the delivery of much-needed relief supplies after Hurricane Maria battered the U.S. territory last week. The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration thanked President Trump in a tweet: That was in response to an announcement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders: NPR's Planet Money examined the Jones Act and says the 90-year-old law applies only to shipping, not other forms of transportation: "If you want to send a bunch of oranges by truck from Florida to Baltimore, no one cares who made the truck. Or if you want to fly computer chips across the country, it's fine if the plane is made inTrump Administration Waives Shipping Restriction For Puerto Ricohttp://ketr.org/post/trump-administration-waives-shipping-restriction-puerto-rico
102240 as http://ketr.orgThu, 28 Sep 2017 13:50:00 +0000Trump Administration Waives Shipping Restriction For Puerto RicoJeff BradyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: President Trump has now declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, as tropical storm Harvey moves east from Texas. That will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to coordinate response to any damage that the storm might cause in that state. FEMA is already working around the clock in Texas, where the tropical storm is now stalled over Houston and surrounding communities. That area has been hit by unprecendented flooding. And FEMA says more than 30,000 people are expected to be housed in shelters. My co-host David Greene is on the ground reporting from Texas this morning. DAVID GREENE, HOST: Hey, there, Rachel. Yeah, we came in here last night. We had to drive in from Dallas because of the airport situation in Houston. It was just - it was a surreal drive. I mean, it was - there was not rain in the beginning. There was this beautiful rainbow. And then you started to get within two hours or so of Houston, theHarvey Causes Widespread Devastation In Areas Of Texas http://ketr.org/post/harvey-causes-widespread-devastation-areas-texas
101105 as http://ketr.orgMon, 28 Aug 2017 11:47:00 +0000Harvey Causes Widespread Devastation In Areas Of Texas Jeff BradyCopyright 2017 NPR. To see more, visit MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: While Corpus Christi and the surrounding area got the brunt of the storm, strong winds and heavy rains also inundated Houston, damaging many homes. NPR's Jeff Brady spent some time with residents who had fled their homes and then went back to see what the storm had left. JEFF BRADY, BYLINE: In a large neighborhood called Sienna Plantation southwest of Houston, there were a lot of downed trees and limbs. (SOUNDBITE OF CHAINSAW REVVING) BRADY: Some houses had parts of the roof torn off. Linda Varnado says a strong storm, possibly a tornado, moved through the neighborhood. LINDA VARNADO: It's true when they tell you that it sounds like a freight train coming through because that's what it is. It sounds like a freight train. And it's a sound that you don't want to hear. And I don't ever want to hear it again. (SOUNDBITE OF SWEEPING) BRADY: As she swept water off the sidewalk, Varnado said the wind tore shingles off her roof andHouston Area Storm Evacuees Return To Damaged Homeshttp://ketr.org/post/houston-area-storm-evacuees-return-damaged-homes
101066 as http://ketr.orgSat, 26 Aug 2017 22:18:00 +0000Houston Area Storm Evacuees Return To Damaged HomesJeff BradyThe U.S. power grid could become less reliable if too much electricity comes from renewable energy and natural gas, according to a study from the Department of Energy. But not everyone is buying it. Environmentalists suspect the Trump administration is just trying to prop up an ailing coal industry. Energy Secretary Rick Perry called for the study in the spring. The report doesn't say there is a grid reliability problem now — only that one could develop if more coal and nuclear power plants shut down. Those plants are having trouble competing with cheaper natural gas and renewable energy at a time when the country is using less electricity. The Energy Department study points out that coal and nuclear generate power whenever it's needed, while solar and wind can be less predictable. This echoes an argument that traditional utilities and power generators have made for years. "The most reliable and resilient grid is the type that will balance traditional base load sources of power withCoal, Nuclear Power Would Benefit From Energy Department's Power Grid Studyhttp://ketr.org/post/coal-nuclear-power-would-benefit-energy-departments-power-grid-study
100965 as http://ketr.orgThu, 24 Aug 2017 09:02:00 +0000Coal, Nuclear Power Would Benefit From Energy Department's Power Grid StudyJeff BradyNPR reporters are returning to their hometowns this summer to find out how they've changed – from job prospects to schools and how people see their community and the country. Once home to thriving timber and fishing industries, Gold Beach, Oregon now subsists on tourists and retirees looking for a quiet beach, a nice river trip and, in a few cases, marijuana. I left Gold Beach after graduating from high school in 1985. Back then, it was a blue-collar town dominated by the timber industry. Returning 32 years later there are fewer log trucks on the roads, the big mill outside town is gone and the economy has fundamentally changed. Before I get into details, let's address the question everyone has about Gold Beach. I'm sorry to say there is no "gold" on the "beach". There was some near the mouth of the Rogue River but it was mined in the late 1800s, according to the Oregon Historical Society. A century later, a different extractive industry was at the center of the local economy. Most ofAs Log Trucks And Fishing Boats Leave, Gold Beach Tries To Remake Its Identityhttp://ketr.org/post/log-trucks-and-fishing-boats-leave-gold-beach-tries-remake-its-identity
99753 as http://ketr.orgSat, 22 Jul 2017 09:00:00 +0000As Log Trucks And Fishing Boats Leave, Gold Beach Tries To Remake Its IdentityJeff BradyThe type of siding or "cladding" used on the Grenfell Tower in London — and suspected of feeding the massive fire that killed dozens of residents — is not allowed on the exterior of tall buildings across most of the U.S. But a few states and the District of Columbia have relaxed building codes in recent years and have started to permit the use of some cladding containing components that don't pass a fire test. The cladding installed on Grenfell Tower as part of a 2016 refurbishing project has become a focus for investigators. NPR's Frank Langfitt has confirmed that the cladding had a combustible polyethylene core rather than a more fire-resistant mineral core. At least 79 people died last week when the fire spread quickly through the 24-story public housing tower. Investigators say a refrigerator started the fire , which then spread to the cladding outside. Prime Minister Theresa May told Parliament that similar cladding on other buildings has been found to be combustible. ReutersSome U.S. States Relax Restrictions On Cladding Suspected In Grenfell Tower Fire http://ketr.org/post/some-us-states-relax-restrictions-cladding-suspected-grenfell-tower-fire
98727 as http://ketr.orgSat, 24 Jun 2017 13:03:00 +0000Some U.S. States Relax Restrictions On Cladding Suspected In Grenfell Tower Fire Jeff BradySome of Nevada's largest solar installation companies plan to resume doing business in the state. For the past year-and-a-half Tesla (formerly SolarCity) and Sunrun stopped seeking new customers in this sunny part of the country because the state's Public Utilities Commission chose to phase out incentives for homeowners who install rooftop solar panels. Now, Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval plans to sign into law a bill that brings back "net metering." Net metering has been a key reason for the rapid growth of the residential solar power business across the U.S. It allows homeowners with solar panels to sell excess electricity to their utility at retail instead of wholesale rates. This appeals to many homeowners because they can do something good for the environment and save money on their energy bill. Utilities are not fans of net metering. That's because every kilowatt generated on a home roof is one less that the local utility sells. And some of that money utilities collect is used toSolar Firms Plan To Return To Nevada After New Law Restores Incentiveshttp://ketr.org/post/solar-firms-plan-return-nevada-after-new-law-restores-incentives
98081 as http://ketr.orgWed, 07 Jun 2017 21:18:00 +0000Solar Firms Plan To Return To Nevada After New Law Restores Incentives